Right-wing talk radio may have worn out its welcome, at least for now. The just-out April Arbitron report shows Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity—the biggest conservative talkers in New York—stuck in a ratings slump that started back in November, right after the 2010 midterm elections.
Top-rated Mr. Limbaugh has taken the biggest fall. He had a 3.0 share of listeners for his WABC-AM midday slot—a 33% slide from October and from last April. Mr. Hannity’s afternoon show was down 28% from its fall peak, as was fellow conservative Mark Levin’s evening program.
Crains New York (free trial subscription reqd).
Article notes that less right-wing figures, such as Imus, are up. Therefore, people still like talk radio, but not right-wing hysteria. Perhaps post-election fatigue; perhaps a sign that predicting the end of the world 7x24 eventually wears out.
This is New York only.